“Thanks to the public for their patience while emergency services dealt with the incident.

"It will be business as usual for the surgery tomorrow."

The surgery was evacuated following the discovery of the powder at about 3.20pm today, police said.

People were told to stay in their homes and the letterbox to the surgery was also sealed closed.

Police close the area as a suspicious package is found in the post box of Kingsholm Surgery on Alvin Street.

A specialist team from Bristol was called to test the substance wearing hazardous chemicals gear, including grey overalls, gloves and face masks.

The letterbox at the centre of the drama was also later opened and the powder could be seen.

Despite the level of response from emergency services people remained calm. Phill Pavey, manager of Roots Café, said: "They told us to shut and stay inside until they had sorted it all off. The road is blocked and I think they are waiting for somebody to arrive. "It's been cordoned off from here until the end of the road police officers and a fire engine are outside. They've told us to say put while they deal with it."